Vehicle



E. S. MEEHAN March 23, 1937.

VEHICLE Filed July 26', 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet l R O T N E V m Edward .5 Meefia/z BY ATTORNEY March 23, 1937. E. s. MEEHAN VEHICLE Filed July 26, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 mm. M

Match 23, 1937.

E. S. MEEHAN VEHICLE Fild July 26, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\&

INVENTOR Edward 5 Meefiafl.

ATroNEY Patented Mar. 23, 1937 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE vnmom Edward S. Meehan, Kansas City, Mo. Application July 2c, 1935, Serial No. 33,300

Claims. (01. 180-54) This invention relates to vehicles, particularly those of the motor coach type, and has for its principal object to provide a vehicle of this character constructed to promote comfort and safety of the passengers.

Other important objects of the invention are to provide a coach equipped with front and rear drive, toprovide greater seating capacity per unit of floor area, to provide a construction, wherein all the seats face the front of the vehicle, to provide for suspension of the entire seating compartment between the front and rear axle units of the vehicle, to eliminate steps to and from the seating compartment, to provide an interior ar- 15 rangement affording the operator an unobstructed view of both the entrance and exit doors, to pro vide an improved axle and spring mounting of particularly illustrating the seating arrangement.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section on the line 33, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail section through one of the front wheels of the coach, particularly illustrating the driving connection between the illustrating one of the axle guide brackets for retaining the axle in transverse alignment with the forward travel of the vehicle.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 6-6, of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged horizontal section through the entrance door.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section throughthe front wheel and axle unit on the line 8-4 of Fig. 1, illustrating steering mechanism therefor.

Fig. 9 is a detail section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of oneof the frontwheel mounting hubs.

Fig. 11 is a section taken through one of the rear wheels, and illustrating the. drive therefor,

. similarly to Fig. 4-.

Referring more in detail to the drawings: l designates a motor coach constructed in accordance with the present invention, including a chassis 2 supporting a body 1i. The chassis 2 includes a frame 4 comprising longitudinal side members 5 and 6 connected at the ends by transverse members 1 and 8. The longitudinal members 5 and 6 are preferably of channel shaped cross-section, and have dropped central portions 9 terminating in upwardlyv inclined ends in and H, which connect with the'transverse members I and 8.

The drop portions of the longitudinal frame members are connected at suitably spaced intervals by transverse members l2 to support the floor l3 of the vehicle body later described. .The transverse end members 1 and 8 are also of channel shape and include horizontal central portions ll terminating above the side members in upwardly inclined bracket shaped ends I5 and i6, as best shown in Fig. 3.

Pivotally connected with the horizontal portions of the end members and directly in the longitudinal center of the chassis frame are axle retaining blocks l1 and I8, each including spaced side plates l9 and 20 connected at their upper edges by a web 2| having a central lug 22 provided with a transverse opening 23. Extending through the opening 23 and through aligning openings 24 and 25 in ears 26 and 21 that depend from, the end members are the pivot pins 28 by which the blocks are pivotally connected to the. frame. The plates are connected at their lower ends by a closure plate 29 that is removablyattached by cap screws 30 to form a substantially rectangular opening 3| extending transversely through the blocks l1 and I8 to respectively accommodate the front and rear axles 32 and 33 of the vehicle.

The axles 32 and 33 include substantially rectangular shaped beams conforming in width to the spacing between the plates l9 and 20 and have rectangular notches and 35 extending perpendicularly of their front and rear faces to slidably engage retaining ribs 36 and 31 that are formed on the inner faces of the plates, as best illustrated in Fig. 8, to retain the axle against lateral movement with respect to the blocks but to permit vertical movement therein, as later described.

Depending from the ends of the horizontal portions of each of the end members 1 and 8 are axle guide brackets 38 and 39 for the front axle and 40 and II for the rear axle. The guide brackets have openings 42 for guidingly passing the outer ends of the axles and to retain them for arcuate movement in a perpendicular plane as the axle blocks l1 and I8 pivot upon the pins 28. The

upper ends of the brackets terminate in vertical flanges 43 that are attached to the side faces of the end/members and horizontally extending flanges 44 that are secured to the lower faces of the longitudinal frame members, as best shown in Fig. 5. The lower ends of the brackets are also brace from the drop portions of the longitudinal frame members by means of the brace bars 45. The rear axle 33 is provided at its ends with gear housings- 46: terminating in wheel spindles 41 on which the rear wheels 48 and 49 are rotatably mounted on anti-friction bearings 59 of conventional automotive design. Formed within'the spindles are bearing openings mounting antifrictionbearings 52 to form bearing supports for live axles 53, Fig. 11. The axles 53 have their inner ends extending within the gear housings 46 to mount bevelled gears 54 that have collar portions 55 which engage the inner walls of the gear housings circumferentially of the openings and prevent retractive movement of the axles within the bearings 52. The rear wheels include hub members 56 having recessed portions 51 forthe anti-friction bearings 59. The hubs 58 have ends 58 that are, provided with central openings to pass the ends of h the axles 53, which are splined thereto by suit- 1 able keys 62. The hubs are retained on thewheel spindles by means of nuts 6| that are threaded on 'the outer ends of the axles 53 and engage against washers that in turn bear against the hubs, as clearly shown in Fig. 11. The hubs also include conventional type brake drums 63 equipped with suitable brake bands 64. The wheels include rims 65 for mounting tires 66 and hub flanges 61 adapted to sleeve over the outer periphery of the hub 56.

In order to retain the wheel in tight engagement with the hub, the outer face of the hub and the inner contour of the hub flange of the wheel are preferably tapered as shown in Fig. 11, so that when the wheel is drawn into engagement with the hub 58 by the bolts 68, the wheels will be wedgingly retained thereon to relieve strain upon the fastening bolts, In order to additionally anchor the wheels on the hubs, the hub portions of the wheels are provided with radial openings through which-bolts 69 are projected into the body portion of the hubs 56.

The front axle 32 is of a construction similar to the rear axle, except that the ends thereof carry spindle yokes l9 and II for mounting the' wheel spindles I2 and 13. The spindles I2 and "include gear housings 14 which are pivotally mounted in the spindle yokes at their lower ends by fixed king pins 15 and at their upper ends by aligning drive shafts 'IGlater described. Mounted upon the wheel spindles are outer anti-friction bearings 'I'I for mounting the front wheel hubs l8 eowhich are identical in construction to the rear wheel hubs, previously described, and which mount the front wheels I9.

The spindles are also provided with bearing openings 89 mounting bearings 8| to carry live 5. axle shafts 82 that have their inner ends projecting within the gear housings to mount bevelled gears 83 similar to the bevelled gears 54 of the rear axle, previously described. The outer ends of the axle shafts are splined to the wheel hubs in the same manner as described in connection with the rear wheel construction.

Formed on the lower ends of each of the housings, circumferentially of the fixed king pins 75,

- are sheaves 84 about which are secured the lays 85 7 of flexible cables 86, the central lay of the cables being secured to the sheaves by clips 81 so that when the cables are operated by the steering mechanism, later described, the spindles are caused to'rotate to guide the vehicle.

In order to yieldingly support the ends of the 6 frame upon the front and rear axles, I have provided transverse main springs 88 for the front and 89 for the rear, having central portions fixed to the blocks I! and I8 and their outer ends 9| and 92 bearing upon the upper faces of the axles, l0

. as best shown in Fig. 3.

To stabilize the body against lateral pivoting movement, the blocks carry reversely arranged elliptical springs 93 having central portions 94 clamped betwen the main springs 89 and the con- 15 necting webs of the blocks, I1 and I8 respectively, as shown in Fig. 3. The outer ends 95 and 96 of the stabilizing springs engage under the central portions I4 of the end frame members I and 8.

The body of the vehicle 2 may be of any conven- 20 tional design, however the floor portion I3 thereof has upwardly offset ends'9l and 98 to cooperate with the adjacent side walls of the body to form axle housings 99 and I99 respectively. The upwardly offset portion 91 at the rear of the 25 vehicle is connected to the rear end of the floor 4 by a vertical wall while the front offset portion of the floor is connected with the front edge of the floor I3 by risers I92 and I93 and by an-int rmediate tread I94. 30

Extending laterally from the upwardly offset end portions of the floor and carried. by the bracket shaped ends I5 and I6 of the respective end members I and 8 are platforms I95 and I96 for mounting motors I91 and I98 for driving the 5 rear wheel unit and motors I99 and H9 for driving the front wheel unit, as now to be described.

The motors I9I I98 and I99-I I9 are fixed to the platforms in axial alignment with the drive shafts I6 of the front axle and similarly ar- 40 ranged drive shafts II I for the rear axle. The armature shafts II2 of the respective motors are connected by universal joints II3 with a telescoping drive shaft II4 that has sliding connection on a shaft section II5'which in turn is con- 45 nected by a universal joint II6 with the respective drive shafts I6 and I I I. It is thus apparent thatthe flexible motor connections with the drive shafts compensate for the various movements of the axles relatively to the body of the vehicle, yet 50 they provide for positive driving connection with the wheels of the vehicle, whereby the wheels of the vehicle are each actuated by an individual motor. The drive shafts I6 and II I project within the gear housings I4 and 46 to mount bevelled 55 gears II! for the front axle and H8 for the rear axle to meshwith the respective gears 83 and 54.

In the illustrated instance, the motor are supplied with current from line wires (not shown) tion engines may be subst tuted for the motors 65' illustrated, and I do not wish to be limited to this specific illustration of the invention.

The horizontal portion I3 of the floor constitutes the fioor of the passenger compartment and mounts rows of passenger seats I29, which extend 70 along the respective sides I2I and I22 of the vehicle, all facing toward the front, and spaced apart to form a centralaisle I23. The seats I24 on the right hand side of the vehicle are so spaced as to provide access to a front entrance door I25 7 75 v2. In a vehicle of the character adjacent the front offset and to a rear entrance door I26. The doors preferably slide within housings I21 that are formed within the side wall I22 of the vehicle, as best illustrated in Fig. 7. By thus opening the doors they do not interfere with the drivers view of passengers leaving or boarding the vehicle. The drivers station "hand side of the front offset, and is, therefore, at a higher elevation than the seats I 20, so as to permit unobstructed view of both the front and rear doorsof the vehicl In order to steer the'front wheels, the front axle carries bearing brackets I30 and I3I project- 15, ing from its rear side to slidingly mount a rod I32 that is connected to one of the ends of the steering cables 86. The opposite ends of the steering cables are connected by a similar tie rod including a section I33 that is slidable. in a bearing bracket I34projecting from the front of the axle and a threaded section I35 that is rotably mounted within a gear housing I36 that is carried by the axle at the and opposite to the bracket I34, as best shown in Fig. 8. The rod sections I33 and I are connected by an internally threaded coupling. I36 engaging the threaded ends I31 and I38'of the sections, as shown in Fig. 8. Mounted on the threaded section within the housing I36 is a worm I39 having internal threads I40 for 30 engaging-the external threads I4I of the shaft section I35. The gear housing I36 also includes an extension I42 to mount a worm gear I43 mesh ing with the worm I39. The worm gear is keyed to a shaft I44 that is connected to a steering shaft I45 by universal joints I46 and I41, interconnected by telescoping shaft sections I48 and I49 similar to the drive shaft connection previously described. The shaft I45 is rotatably mounted within a steering post I 50 carrying a steering wheel I5I in convenient location to the drivers station III.

A passenger will enter a coach constructed as described through the door I25 by stepping from the street or curbing directly onto the floor I3, since due to the dropped center construction no steps are necessary.

The passenger, upon moving down the aisle or taking any one of the seats, will not obstruct the operators view of the exit door I26. The 50 operator can, therefore,-observe when it is safe to close the exit door after a passenger has left the coach and there is no danger of shutting the door either on the passenger or any part of his clothing.

When the coach is underway the axle units can move freely with the road irregularities without imparting road shocks to the passengers. The suspended seating compartment also allows for a lower center of gravity to and riding comfort of the passengers. The individual drive for each wheel provides for compactness and permits of the drop center con- 'struction thereby increasing the seating capacity of the coach for a given dimension. 1

What Iclaim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a vehicle of .the

I character described, a frame having a dropped central portion and upwardly ofiset ends, front and rear axles extend ing transversely of said ifset ends, wheels supporting the ends of said-axles, means pivotally connecting said axles with the upwardly offset ends of the frame. and means mounted on said offset ends for driving said wheels.

described, a

I28 is located on theleft promote safety frame having a droppedcentral portion and upwardly offset ends. front and rear axles extending transversely of said oflset ends, wheels supporting the ends of said axles, means mounted on said ofisetnds for driving said wheels, means pivotally and slidably connecting said axles with the offset'ends of the frame, and springs mounted between the axles and said offset ends.

of the frame for supporting the frame.

3. In a vehicle=of the character described, a frame having a dropped central portion and upwardly offset ends. front and rear axles extending transversely of said offset ends, wheels supmounted on said offset ends for driving said wheels, means porting the ends of said axles, means pivotally and slidably connecting said axles with the offset ends of the frame, and springs mounted between the axles and said offset ends of the frame forsupporting the frame including means' for stabilizing the frame from side sway on said pivotal connections.

4. In a vehicle of the characterdescribed, a frame having a dropped central portion and 'upwardly ofiset ends. wheel and axle units, means for pivotally connectingsaid units'with saidoifset ends at the longitudinal center of said frame,

' means for stabilizing the frame from side sway incidental to said" pivotal connections, and means mounted on' said offset ends for driving said wheel units. I

5. In a vehicle of the character described, a framehaving a dropped central portion and up wardly offset ends. wheel and axle units, means for pivotally connecting the axle units with said offset ends at the longitudinal center of said frame, means for stabilizing the frame from side sway incidental to-said pivotal connections, individual motors supported on said offset ends, and flexible driving connections between the motors and the wheels of said units.

6. In a vehicle of the character described, a frame having a dropped central portion and upwardly ofiset ends, front and rear axles extending transversely of said ofiset ends, wheels supporting the ends of said axles, means pivotally connecting said axles with the upwardly ofiset ends of the frame, motors supported at the opposite sides of saidoffset ends, and driving connections between the respective motors and the wheels supporting the corresponding ends of said axles.

7. In a vehicle of the character described, a.

frame having a dropped central portion and upwardly offset ends, front and rear axles extending transversely of said offset ends, wheels supporting the ends of said axles, means pivotally connecting said axles with the upwardly offset ends of the frame, motors supported at the sides of 'one of said offset ends, and driving connections between the motors and the wheels supporting the axle at that end of the frame.

8. In a vehicle of thecharacter described, a frame having a dropped central portion and upwardly offset ends, front and rear axles extending transversely of said offset ends, wheels supporting the ends of said axles, means mounted on said offset ends for driving said wheels, means pivotally and slidably connecting said axles with the offset ends of the frame, guide brackets depending from said offset ends to guldingly engage the ends of the axles, and springs mounted between the axles and said offset ends of the frame v for supporting the frame.

9. In a vehicle of the character described, 9.

frame having a dropped central portion and up wardly oifset ends, wheel and axle units, means mounted on said ofiset ends for driving said wheel units, means for pivotally connecting the axle units with said offset ends at the longitudinal 5 center of said frame, guide brackets depending from said offset ends to guidingly engage the ends of the axle units, and means for stabilizing the frame from side sway incidental to said pivotal connections.

10. In a vehicle of the character described, a frame having a dropped central portion and upwardly oflset ends, axles, wheels supporting the axles, means for pivotally connecting the axles with said offset ends at the longitudinal center of said frame, means for stabilizing the frame from side'sway incidental to said pivotal connections, means for steering a pair of said wheels, individ ual motors supported on said offset ends, and flexible driving connections between the motors and the wheels.

l1 In a vehicle of the character described, a frame having a dropped central portion and upwardly offset ends, front and rear axles extending transversely of said ofiset ends, wheels supporting the ends of said axles, means for steering a pair of said wheels, means pivotally connecting said axles with the upwardly offset ends of the frame, motors supported at the sides of one of said offset ends, and driving connections between the motors and the wheels supporting the axle at that'en-d of the frame.

12. In a vehicle of the character described, a frame having a dropped central portion and upwardly offset ends, front and rear axles extending transversely of said offset ends, wheels supporting the ends of said axles, steering connections between said front axle and supporting wheels, means pivotally connecting said axles with the upwardly offset ends of theframe, motors supported at opposite sides of said offset ends, and driving connections between the respective motors and the wheels supporting the corresponding ends of said axles.

13. In avehicle of the character described, a

frame having a dropped central portion and upwardly offset ends, passenger seats mounted on said dropped central portion, a drivers seat mounted on one of said upwardly offset ends, axles, wheels supporting the axles, means for pivotally connecting the axles with said offset ends at the longitudinal center of said frame, means for stabilizing the frame from side sway incidental to said pivotal connections, means for steering a pair of said wheels, individual motors supported on said offset ends, and flexible driving connections between the motors and the wheels.

14. In a vehicleof the character described, having a body, a frame supporting said body having a dropped central portion and upwardly ofiset ends, doors slidably mounted in said body having bottom edges located in alignment with said dropped central portion of said frame, front and rear axles extending transversely of said ofiset.

ends, wheels supporting the ends of said axles, means pivotally connecting said axles with the upwardly offset ends of the frame, motors supported at opposite sides of said offset ends, and driving connections between the respective motors and the wheels supporting the corresponding ends of said axles.

15. In a vehicle of the character described, a frame having a dropped central portion and upwardly offset ends, passenger seats mounted on said dropped central portion, a drivers seat mounted on one of said offset ends, front and rear axles extending transversely 'of said offset ends, said front axle being provided with a housing, means pivotally connecting said axles with the upwardly offset ends" of the frame, wheels supporting the ends of said axles, flexible steering connections between said front axle and said wheels including a fiexiblemember mounted in said front axle housing and extending upwardly adjacent the drivers seat to compensate for the pivotal connection of said front axle with one of said upwardly ofiset ends, motors supported at the sides of one of said offset ends, and driving connections between the motors and the wheels supporting the axle at that end of the frame.

EDWARD S. MEEHAN. 

